Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: GUEST,Richard I
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 07:35 PM

Does anybody know of any recordings of this song? I'd love to learn it

Subject: Lyr Add: THE QUALITY OF MERSEY (Stan Kelly)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 06:43 PM

Copied from Stan Kelly-Bootle's web site:


THE QUALITY OF MERSEY
Words: Reconstructed from childhood memories by Stan Kelly
Tune: Trad. arr. Stan Kelly (Dorian Mode on D)
© 1961 Heathside Music

When I was young and handsome, lads,
As handsome as could be,
I said goodye [terrar] to me mother-in-law
Away I went to sea.
I went aboard a schooner, boys,
The schooner Mary Anne
And we set sail for Walton Gaol
Up the Manchester Ship Canal.

Well, the captain was a sailor, lads,
He'd never been to sea before.
He knew as much about the sea
As the knob on our wash-house [shit-house] door.
All day he slept on the upper deck,
All night he slept below
And he paid the crew a lousy screw,
We were glad to see him go.

Now the quality of Mersey, boys,
It isn't strained at all
It's full of ships [shit] and seaweed
And it tastes like paraffin oil.
We had to drink it every day
For beer we'd never see,
And I scarcely thing we'll get a drink
Till we get to Wallasey.


Note: The tune is similar to THE BANKS OF THE CONDAMINE

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: ossonflags
Date: 13 Nov 10 - 02:37 AM

By Gum this brings back memories!!!!Been singing this song for years.

First heard the Watersons sing this about 1961 in the Jacoranda coffee club in 'ull; John Harrison used to lead on it I think.
Did not know that "The Quality of Mersey" was the title though; I knew it as "The Good ship Lydis Anne"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 07:51 PM

Three of them are - Hughie (still performing at shanty festivals near you!), Mick and Tony. Cliff died in Australia only a year or two back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 05:47 PM

are any of the spinners still alive

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: Crabtree
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 04:32 PM

chrisj - If you see what passes for football in these parts you'd know what I mean. Its just crap. At least when Stan Matthews returned and the Blessed Tony Waddington was in charge, it was at least class crap! Founded in 1863 and one trophy worthy of the name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 09:09 PM

Crabtree!!!! You're from STOKE, the home of the great Stanley Matthews, and you "don't follow football"? I love football and I used to be a fan of The Spinners too. I was lucky enough a few years ago to get a loan of one of their LPs from my mate Beachcomber.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 04:10 PM

So's Nick Hancock, and he thinks he follows footy.
Failte.....Jock

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: Crabtree
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 01:53 PM

chrisj - you'remistaken. I dont follow footie - Im from Stoke!!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 07:36 AM

Thanks for posting that link Malcolm. (And I advise people to delve around in the site - including Stan's columns.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 06:03 AM

Easy for you to say,Crabtree, but as a 'Spurs fan all I know is that the 'Pool' are on the march again just when I thought it might be our turn!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: Crabtree
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 06:13 AM

Malcolm - I can now sleep at night. Thanks a lot

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 05:11 AM

I think that Stan Kelly was responsible for this one.  See  Liverpool Lullabies - The Stan Kelly Songbook

Subject: (Liverpool) Spinners
From: Crabtree
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 04:26 AM

Any one know the rest of the lyrics to this send-up sea-song.I only know the chorus

The quality of Mersey boys It isn't strained at all Its full of cats and old dead rats And tastes of parafin oil, me boys, and tastes of parafin oil.

Its been bothering me for about 35 years!!!